The National Identification Authority (NIA) has dismissed 10 staff after they were found culpable of misconduct and extortion of illegal fees from some Ghana card applicants.
According to multiple news reports, the staff were found guilty after an investigation conducted by the Criminal Investigations Department of the Ghana Police Service which revealed that they had flouted the staff guidelines of the Authority.
” The decision was arrived at after a thorough and painstaking investigations into the activities of these staff by the Ghana Police Service which included the interdiction of the affected officers, the appointment of a disciplinary committee of inquiry to provide a fair hearing for each of the officers in accordance with due process and management’s subsequent acceptance of the adverse findings by the committee “, the report read.
Among the accusations levelled against the errant officers include , collection of illegal fees , and manipulation of the registration system for personal gain.
” The stated misconduct took place at the NIA headquarters in Accra, Subin sub metro Office in Ashanti, Western Regional Office, Registrar General’s Department in Accra Central , as well as the district offices in both La Nkwantanang and Adenta respectively “, the report stated.
In response to the developments, Professor Kenneth Agyemang Attafuah, the Executive Secretary of the NIA, reiterated the institution’s unwavering commitment to maintaining the highest standards of professionalism, accountability, and ethical behaviour.
To prevent future occurrences of such misconduct, Professor Attafuah pledged the implementation of enhanced internal oversight mechanisms, regular integrity training for NIA staff, and the establishment of a platform for citizens to report any instances of irregularity or misconduct encountered during their interactions with the NIA.
The release said the NIA remains steadfast in fulfilling its mandate by providing dependable, transparent, and credible identification services to the public, all while adhering to the highest benchmarks of professionalism and ethical conduct.
